Overview

Crime in the United States, by Region, Geographic Division, and State, 2016–2017

In 2017, the estimated number of violent crimes in the United States decreased 0.2 percent when compared with 2016 data.

When comparing the 2-year estimates, violent crimes increased in two of the four regions, with the largest increase (2.4 percent) occurring in the West, followed by an increase of 0.2 percent in the Midwest. Violent crime decreased by 3.6 percent in the Northeast and by 0.8 percent in the South.

The estimated number of murders increased 0.9 percent in the West, but decreased in the South by 1.2 percent, in the Midwest by 1.1 percent, and in the Northeast by 1.0 percent.

The number of rapes (revised definition), increased 5.1 percent in the West, 3.4 percent in the Midwest, 0.8 percent in the South and 0.6 percent in the Northeast.

The estimated number of robbery offenses in 2017 rose 2.4 percent in the West, while decreasing in the Northeast by 8.0 percent, in the South by 6.3 percent, and in the Midwest by 4.9 percent.

Estimated aggravated assault offenses increased 1.9 percent in the West, 1.7 percent in the Midwest, and 1.1 percent in the South, but decreased in the Northeast by 2.1 percent.

For 2017, the estimated number of property crimes nationwide decreased 3.0 percent when compared with the 2016 estimate.

The estimated number of property crimes declined 3.6 percent in the South, 3.0 percent in the Northeast, 2.8 percent in the Midwest, and 2.0 percent in the West.

The estimated number of burglaries decreased 10.0 percent in the Northeast, 8.5 percent in the Midwest, 8.2 percent in the South, and 4.8 percent in the West.

Larceny-thefts declined 2.9 percent in the South, 2.1 percent in the Midwest, 1.9 percent in the Northeast, and 1.3 percent in the West.

When compared with the 2016 estimates, the estimated number of motor vehicle thefts in 2017 decreased 1.5 percent in the West and 0.2 percent in the Northeast. Motor vehicle thefts increased 4.1 percent in the Midwest and 1.9 percent in the South.